Banjo rim



F. GRETSCH Feb. 17, 1931.

BANJO RIM Filed Nov. 15, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Fred 6729607070 BY ATTORNEY WITNESSES 027%,

Feb. 17, 1931. F'. GRETSCH 1,793,363

BANJO RIM Filed Nov. 15, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR wnNEssEs Fred. GreZ-o'c7l/ M,

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 17, 1931 PATENT OFFICE FRED GRE'ISCH, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK BANJO RIM Application filed November 15, 1928.

This invention relates to musical. instruments, and particularly to an improved banjo, the object being to provide an improved ar rangement for holding the parts together properly, while permitting a quick adjustment or quick disassemblage.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide in a banjo a complete metallic banjo rim having tension screw-receiving sockets formed as an integral part of the rim.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a banjo a special construction including a clamping screw for disengageably connecting the sounding member to the rim.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a banjo head with certain parts broken away for better illustrating the invention;

Figure 2 is a side View of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through Figure 1 approximately 011 the line 3-3;

Figure t is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through Figure 1 on the line l l Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a banjo rim embodying certain features of the invention;

Figure 6 is fragmentary detailed perspective view of part of the straining hoop shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, 1 indicates what is commonly known as the resonator of the banjo, and. 2 the banjo rim. The rim 2 adapted to receive the neck of any desired structure so that the usual strings could be properly mounted. As these parts form no part of the present invention they have not been shown, though it is to be under tood that the head, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in actual use is to be provided with the neck, strings and other usual devices forming part of a complete banjo. The rim 2 is metal and is provided with a thickened inwardly-extending portion 3 at the upper end, said portion being somewhat rounded at the upper edge so as to receive the banjo diaphragm 4. This stiti'ens the rim and practically makes the same unyielding at the upper edge, whereby when the diaphragm Serial No. 319,648.

4t is tightly stretched thereon and then caused to vibrate, practically none of the vibrations Will be dampened by the rim. This results in an exceptici ally good, and even brilliant, tone which is especially desirable in instru- 5 ments of this type. Also, this structure permits staccato notes to he produced accurately {Nil w thout slnrring or muting. The diaphra; is clamped in position by a suitable straining hoop having a flange 6 through which tension bolts 7 extend. The straining hoop or clamping band 5 is provided with a solid section 5 which is positioned to receive the right arm when the instrument is in use. The uter surface of this solid portion is smooth and the ed es rounded, so that the arm may slide freely back and forth, as desired. In order to permit this action and at the same time permit the desired number of bolts 7 to be used, the solid section or thickened portion 5 is provided with sockets or counter-sunk portions for receiving the hear 5 of the screws 7. The bolts 7 have preferably square heads so that an instrument may be applied thereon for readily rotating the screws whenever an adjustment of the diaphragm 4 is desired. The screws 7 enter into a threaded socketS formed in the/enlargement 9 which integral with the rim 2. As clearly shown in Figure 5, there is an en-- so largeinent 9 and a threaded socket 8 for each of the screws 7 and the rim 2 provided with a radially-extending flange 10 having pending portion 11. Flange 10 is provided with a number of apertures 12 and around 9? each aperture there is formed a raised head 13 for receiving the head 14% of a clamping screw 15. The screw 15 is adapted to be screwed into a socket 16 secured in any desired mannor to the resonator 1. In Figure 1 there is ii? shown a screw 15 for each aperture 12, but ordinarily two or three screws are all that are needed to hold the resonating member 1 in proper place. It will be noted that the apertures 12 are elliptical and of a size to permit the head 14 to pass therethrough when turned to one position and to straddle when in another position, whereby it will rest on the bead 13. By this construction and arrangement of parts, the resonating member 1 can be quickly removed or replaced. Screws 7 may be quickly adjusted or removed, as

desired.

What I claim is 5 1. A banjo, including a head formed with a banjo rim, a diaphragm, clamping means for clamping the diaphragm in position, a

resonating member and clamping screws for disengageably securing the resonating mem- 10 ber to the/banjo rim, said banjo rim having elongated openings for receiving said clamping screws and said screws having elongated heads capable of straddling the openings when in one position and passing through g the openings when in another position.

A banjo, including an all-metallic rim having a thickened portion at the diaphragm receiving end, said thickened portion extending inwardly and formin an inner stiffening 2e bead while the outer portion is formed into a straight wall, said rim at the lower part having a radially-extending flange and integral projections provided with threaded sockets.

3. A banjo, including a diaphragm clamping band, a banjo rim formed entirely of metal, said rim at the lower edge being provided with thickened portions presenting 'projeetions, each projection having a so threaded socket and a screw for each socket,

said screws acting to clamp the diaphragm clamping band in place.

l. In a banjo, an all-metallic banjo rim having a tubular upstanding portion, a flange extending from one edge of said upstandin portion, said flange having a plurality of elliptical apertures and a plurality of lugs projecting from said tubular portion, said lugs being arranged near said flange, each of 419 said lugs having a threaded aperture 5. A banjo, including a banjo rim, a diaphragm, a straining hoop for clamping the diaphragm on the rim, bolts havin squared ieads extending through part of said hoop 4,5 for moving the hoop to a clamping position,

said banjo rim having a plurality of enlargements, each enlargement having a threaded aperture, said threaded apertures being in line with said bolts, whereby the bolts may to be screwed into said apertures for moving said band to a clamping position.

' 6. In a banjo provided with a diaphragm,

a rim for receiving said diaphragm and a straining hoop for clamping the diaphragm 55 onrthe rim, a plurality of headed clamping screws for clamping said hoop in position,

said hoop being provided with a smooth section against which the arm of a person rests when using the banjo, said smooth section C). having sockets for receiving the heads of certain of said screws.

Signed at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, this 5th day oi November, A. D. 1928. V FRED GRETSCH. 

